Not that he thought what he had done was very bad, or that he had sinned in deceiving the masters and breaking the rules of the school.

What troubled him was that he knew Riddell would be vexed.
He repaired to the captain's study with his books as usual after evening chapel and found him busy over his work.
But as soon as the boy entered, Riddell pushed the papers away rather nervously.
"Well, Wyndham," said he, "I'm glad you've come." Wyndham deposited his books and looked rather uncomfortable.
Riddell had rather hoped the boy would refer to the subject first, but he did not.

Riddell therefore said, "I was sorry to see you down in Shellport this afternoon, Wyndham.

You hadn't a permit, had you ?" "No," said Wyndham.
"It's hardly the thing, is it ?" said the captain, quietly, after a pause.
His voice, devoid of all anger or self-importance, made Wyndham still more uncomfortable.
"I'm awfully sorry," said he.

"I suppose I oughtn't to have gone.